Login
iscover
The Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Sirius has achieved a major milestone in its service with the fleet, conducting its 700th replenishment at sea, less than a week from celebrating 14 years in service.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
The Royal Australian Navy's afloat support capability is provided by the underway replenishment ship HMAS Sirius. The Afloat Support Force provides operational support for the rest of the fleet by providing fuel, stores and ammunition, thus significantly extending the RAN's operational reach and endurance at sea. It can also provide limited support to deployed Army and Air Force units.
The replenishment ship conducted its 700th replenishment at sea since commissioning on 16 September 2006, refuelling HMAS Hobart.
Commanding Officer Sirius, Commander Sam Woolrych said the milestone was a highlight for the crew during the Regional Presence Deployment.
"We supported our ships and the ships of our regional partners during Regional Presence Deployment. We replenished ships from Korea, Canada, Singapore, the United States and Japan as well as HMA Ships Canberra, Hobart, Arunta and Stuart," CMDR Woolrych said.
HMAS Sirius was built as a double-hulled commercial product tanker, MV Delos, and purchased by the Commonwealth government on 3 June 2004. Named Sirius, the ship underwent modification for underway replenishment – in addition, a flight deck was fitted for helicopter operations.
The ship can carry over 34,806 cubic metres of fuel including 5,486 cubic metres of aviation fuel for use by RAN helicopters. Sirius can replenish ships at sea by day and night, and is capable of replenishing two ships at a time. She has transfer points for fuel, water and stores.
Sirius is the first RAN ship to carry this name, however HMS Sirius was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1780 as the flagship of the 'First Fleet'. The name was selected because of its historical connections with the First Fleet and the important role the ship played in providing logistic support to the struggling economy. Her motto is “to serve and provide”.
The Regional Presence Deployment demonstrates Australia’s commitment to sustaining strong and positive defence relations with regional nations as well as the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.
